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What happens when you mix heavenly intervention with a 1930’s Toronto dance hall? The Francis de Sales Centre and Mary, Mother of God School presents Sister Marie’s Miracle, the story of a devout Dominican sister whose miracle leads to unforeseen complications. Join us on February 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m., 1515A Queen St. West, for thought-provoking, faith-filled fun for all ages. Admission by donation. 25TH Annual Lift Jesus Higher Rally – Saturday, March 4, 9am-5:30pm, Metro Toronto Convention Centre. Visit: lift-jesus-higher-rally.ca or call 416 251 4255. VICTORIA SCHOLARS @ OLS - Please join the Victoria Scholars at Our Lady of Sorrows Church on Sunday, March 5, 2017 at 7:30 pm, as they present “Canadian Scholars”. The Scholars celebrate Canada’s 150th with the music of this great nation in an all-Canadian content concert. Admission $30, Seniors/Students $25. Tickets available at the door Doors open at 7:00 pm. Dynamic Women of Faith Events at John Paul II Polish Cultural Center, 4300 Cawthra Rd, Mississauga.1. Calling All Girls – Friday, March 24, 7pm-10pm. A special evening of short high

powered talks for mothers and daughters. Call 905 279 7702. Register at www.dynamicwomenoffaith.com.

2. Catholic Women’s Conference – Saturday, March 25, 2017, 8am-4pm. Topics include: The Call to Holiness; Why Minister to Moms?; Finding Your Catholic Voice; Marriage and Sanity?; and How Does CathoilcMomsGroup.com work? Register at www.dynamicwomenoffaith.com. Call 905 279 7702.

Spiritual Warfare Lenten Retreat with Rev. Charles Anang – Saturday, March 25, 9:30am-2:30pm (includes Mass in the seminary chapel), St. Augustine’s Seminary of Toronto. Cost: $50 (lunch included). Register at www.staugustines.on.ca or call 416267207 ext. 235. Marian Retreat - March 31-April 2 at Stella Niagara Retreat Center, NY. The Fatima Center is hosting a Spiritual Marian Retreat in commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima`s Apparitions. Interested? Go to www.fatima.org or call 905 871 7607 for details. Pilgrimage to Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Mexico, Puebla, Taxco, Acapulco and More. November 8 to 17, 2017 under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Joseph Machaj. Cost: $2,100.00CAN. Valid passport is required. For more information contact Fr. Joseph Machaj at 613 962 1092 or frjosephmachaj@gmail.com. Deadline for registration before May 31, 2017. Celebrate Your Marriage with a Worldwide Marriage Encounter Weekend!Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a weekend getaway that helps married couples rediscover themselves as individuals and as a couple. A weekend of discovery…a lifetime of love! March 17-19, 2017 (Queen of Apostles Renewal Centre, Mississauga) Go to www.wwme.org or contact Gerard & Marge McCauley at gerard.marge@rogers.com or (905) 792-1925. GTA Young Women’s Retreat hosted by the Sisters of Life: Going deeper to encounter His peace, love and mercy. Young women, ages 18-35 are invited to this retreat on Friday, February 24 to Sunday, February 26. For more information call 416 463 2722 or email toronto@sistersoflife.org.

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yMass Intentions This Week – February 20 – February 26Please join us as we pray for the following announced intentions…

Intention(s): Offered by:Monday, 9am J Ted McConvey Young familyTuesday, 9am J ... of Rita Antonacci Jeannette Hendrych

Wednesday, 9am J Anastasia Coutinho familyThursday, 9am J ... of Debbie Gervasio Jeannette Hendrych

Friday, 9am J Ramon Pasquier Beatriz OrtegaSaturday, 9am J Flavia Castello Janet & Bruce D`Silva and family

5:15pm J Elienne Giroux Christine, Carmen & MatthewSunday, 8am J Lena Badali family

9:30am J Mary Bardwell Bardwell-Thompson family11am J Ernie Jesch James Sbrolla & family

12:30pm • For the needs of our parish and faithful parishioners •

Reminders for Sacramental PreparationCONFIRMATION SESSION 3A, TODAY February 19, 4-5:30pm, Parish Hall or Wednesday February 22, 7-8:30pm, Parish Hall VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES @ OLS1. OLS Social Committee – We are establishing a parish Social Committee to help build a

more welcoming, vibrant parish community. The committee will assist in the planning, organizing and implementing of various parish social events like monthly coffee Sunday, movie nights or parish outdoor mass. The Social Committee provides opportunities for fellowship among parishioners and spiritual growth while enjoying a fun time in a Christian environment. If you feel that you are being called to this Ministry, please contact the church office at olosorrows@bellnet.ca or 416 231 6016.

2. OLS ShareLife Team - Are you ready to take your Christian service one step up? We invite you to volunteer to be part of the OLS ShareLife Team. There are many ways to get involved —your skills and gifts may be just the spark to inspire those who have not come forward to support the campaign. Whether you’re a speaker, great organizer, or ready to spread the ShareLife stewardship message, we invite you to join the ShareLife Team!The ShareLife campaign is more than a collection of funds; it is the way that we as a Catholic community put our faith values into action, reflecting the message of the Gospel to love one another. Together, our gifts of time, talent and treasure can make a difference! We’d like to hear from YOU! Please contact the parish office: olosorrows@bellnet.ca / 416 231 6016 before February 22nd.

OLS PANCAKE TUESDAY – Feb. 28, Continuous Buffet from 5-7pm, Parish HallCome and enjoy pancakes, sausage, blueberry topping, juice, tea and coffee. Tickets on sale after each Mass. Cost: Kids (ages 6-12): $5 advance / $7 at the door; Adults $8 advance / $10 at the door. Kids under 6: Free. Proceeds go to ShareLife. COFFEE FRIDAY – Last Friday of each month, after 9am Mass. Everyone is invited to the parish hall for refreshments after the Mass. This is an opportunity to get to know the members of your parish community. All are welcome…..bring a friend! Stretch & Flex Tuesdays, 6:30pm-7:30pm, 2nd floor, Running Room.$10 per session. Bring a yoga mat, water bottle and wear comfy clothing!fe

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“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Do you feel called to help people get closer to God?

If you think God is calling you to ministerial service, contact Fr. Chris Lemieux, Vocations Director, Archdiocese of Toronto.

416-968-0997 vocations@vocations.ca www.vocationstoronto.ca

T he teachings of Jesus in this gospel are those most people remember from the ‘Sermon on the Mount’. Understanding them can help us better appreciate Jesus’

charter of the Kingdom.Jesus quotes the law of retribution common in ancient societies: ‘an eye for an eye’. This law of commensurate retribution was a distinct advance on the endless feuding of barbarian societies. The New Law of Jesus does not do away with the human laws which are essential to human society; it adds a new dimension to the enactment of their provisions – a dimension that will foster a society that is more life-giving. Jesus teaches that the provisions of strict justice are not enough to foster the healthy human community of God’s designs for the human family. We see this verified when those in authority rely on more and more legislation to create a good society – without good will such laws only bring resentment.When Jesus says, ‘Offer the wicked man no resistance’, he is not saying that we should never defend ourselves and seek justice when we are wronged. Matthew is applying these words to persecutions suffered by the Jewish converts of his community; but they have far wider implications. If hatred is contagious, so too is good will. Jesus forgave his enemies; Stephen, the first martyr, followed his example; the attitudes of the early Christian martyrs embarrassed and challenged the imperial authorities. The selfless response of the followers of Jesus has released a new force in the world’s history. It was the teaching of Jesus that inspired Ghandi’s program of non-violent resistance, and the heroic leadership of Martin Luther King.However it must be understood that Jesus does not outlaw organised resistance to injustice; he is pointing to what will often prove a better way. It has been suggested that the examples provided by Jesus, bringing us back to our common experience, were recommendations concerning the attitude God’s people should have under the Roman occupation – they should give up their hopes of an earthly triumph; and if they put aside their resentment and antagonism and witnessed to the ways to God by showing good will and cooperation to the occupying power, they would fulfil their call to be ‘a light to the nations’. Certainly, as the last section of today’s gospel shows, the charter of Jesus is a call to learn and identify with the generous and merciful ways of God, the Father in Heaven who cares for ‘bad men as well as good’.

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Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

John Thornhill smwww.theemmausseries.com